helicopters during Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American and Vietnamese personnel from Saigon 1980s In April 1980, VA-27 participated in the Iranian hostage rescue attempt by providing air cover for the forces directly involved in the rescue operation. In August 1986, the squadron participated in the first carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II. 1990s While stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet on 24 January 1991 and were officially re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27). The squadron also changed roles as well as aircraft and were now a fighter/attack squadron, performing air-to-air as well as air-to-ground attack missions. The Squadron emblem was also changed to a green background, white cloud, and silver gauntlet with silver mace. In November 1992, while deployed aboard , VFA-27 operated off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope and augmented United States Central Command’s multi-national coalition Air Forces supporting Operation Southern Watch. The squadron participated in a coalition night strike against Iraq on 13 January 1993, delivering over 18,000 pounds of ordnance on target. In 1994 VFA-27 deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk to the Sea of Japan. In 1996 the squadron commenced their homeport change from NAS Lemoore to NAF Atsugi, Japan deploying aboard . 2000s In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the squadron participated in Operation Enduring Freedom flying missions against the Al Qaida infrastructure and Taliban forces in Afghanistan as well as protecting assets in Diego Garcia. When Kitty Hawk deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, VFA-27 was soon heavily involved in combat. As part of Carrier Air Wing 5, VFA-27 attacked command, control and communications sites, surface-to-surface missile batteries and an air traffic control radar near Basrah. At the Al Faw peninsula long range artillery guns and 155mm howitzers near Az Zubayr were targeted. The squadron flew hundreds of close air support and strike sorties against Iraqi forces. VFA-27 completed their transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet in October 2004 at NAS Lemoore. In February of 2013, the Royal Maces executed a trans-Pacific journey to accept new Lot 34 and 35 F/A-18E Super Hornets to maintain their superior technological abilities in the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet. In February of 2015, the squadron's tactical prowess was recognized by their being awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle "E", highlighted